A new social media group celebrating both modern and bygone Hinckley has notched up its 500th member after just three months.

Hinckley Past and Present was launched on Facebook by Graham Day and Paul Gardner who are both amazed at the success of the site.

The pair are setting up a group ‘meet and greet’ and hope as many current and prospective members will turn up for a coffee and a chat at the Hinckley Museum on Lower Bond Street on May 24 from 10am to noon.

Paul said: “We have proved by our membership what Hinckley people wanted was a fun and interactive group which is informative, lighthearted but also educational.”

The page is updated hourly with lively chat and members views on topics and events and posts include pictures and stories as well as video and audio memories of Hinckley residents.

The daily location competition and the picture transformations from the past to the present are both popular features.

Group founder, Graham had run a similar page while living in Reading. When he moved to Hinckley earlier this year he set up a similar enterprise and shortly afterwards was joined by Paul who offered his local knowledge to really get it started.

Next on the agenda for Hinckley Past and Present is a dedicated website.